XML Template (2012) [15.3.2012–10:03am] [1–8] K:/JCM/JCM 441041.3d (JCM) [PREPRINTER stage] JOURNAL OF

Biocomposites from dwarf-green Brazilian coconut impregnated with cashew nut shell liquid resin ACH Barreto1,2, AEC Júnior1, JEB Freitas1, DS Rosa3, WM Barcellos4, FNA Freire5, PBA Fechine2 and SE Mazzetto1 The dwarf-green coir fibers treated with sodium hydroxide 10 % produced the best set of properties of the biocompo-sites generated: greater roughness and exposure of intrafibrillar cavities, providing better adhesion with the matrix, higher rigidity, increased resistance to traction and better interface properties, making them better as structural mater-ials. The best results reported in the thermal behavior of biocomposite fibers were found in fibers treated with sodium hydroxide 10%. These showed a single stage of decomposition, which occurs at a higher temperature (300C). It was observed that the natural fibers were more resistant to the action of the microorganisms due to the presence of more lignin and hemicellulose, while fibers treated with 5 and 10 % sodium hydroxide showed different degradation degree. Keywords Dwarf-green coir fibers and biocomposites, cashew nut shell liquid resin, biodegradability, mechanical and thermal propertie